Pumping apparatus



March 1 1927.l

A. R. LE GRUE PUMPING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 9. 1925 2. shets-sheet. 14

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' A. R. L E RUE v PUMPING APPARATUS z Sheets-sheet 2 Filed Nov. 9, 1925 r., ai nl, nl... w y I @m mi@ N m m QN ".lwlmlnm 1w KN F N` V M u, /W V//A V/A ,//l b www* Iw mw NN L/,Hf m m|l ww xm. SW. m QM@ w@ Q @s 6U@ a@ e@ @a U mm NNN um: QN www w@ Q@ 0N@ @ma @me @@Tmv@ o a Q o o t NMWMEE WN MM SN #M/ 7% Patented Mar.y 1, 1927.

' UNITED STATES Ansus n. Ln entre, or BUFFALO, New Yoan.

PUMPING AEPARATUS.

Application filed November 9, 1925. 'Serial No. 67,733.

This invention relates generally to improvements in a pumping apparatus but more particularly to a novel mechanism for transmitting the reciprocatoryfmotion to the pump-pistons or plungers.

It has for one of its objects the provision of a mechanically-operated device of this character which is simple and inexpensive in construction, which is .efficient and reliable in operation, and which is composed of few parts so organized and arranged that they are not liable to Aget out of order.

Another object of the invention is the/provision of a'reciprocating motion transmitting mechanism for pumps and similar appliances which requires a minimum expenditure of powerto operate it and which affords a. material saving in cost of operation over the customary pumping mechanisms now in use. p y

In the accompanying drawings z- .l

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the pumping Vapparatus embodying my improvements. Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof. Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section on line 3--8, Fig. 1. igure 4 is a transverse section on line 4 4, Fig. 3.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

The operating parts of the pump-actuating mechanism are mounted on a suitable base or platform 10 and the pump cylinders 11, 12, two of which are shown, by Way of example, in connection with the mechanism are supported in a substantially horizontal position on a standard 13. Operating in these cylinders are pistons 14 having oonnecting rods 15 attached thereto and guided for reciprocating movement in the cylinder heads 16. I

Journaled in bearings 17 located near the ends of the platform 10 are horizontal, transverse shafts 1S, 19, one or the other of which is adapted to be driven by an electric motor or other sourcev of power. 20, 2O indicate a pair of endless belts or sprocket chains disposed side by side and extending lengthwise of the platform 10 in subst-antially axial alinement-with the pump-cylinders 11, 12. rfhese chains pass around front and rear sprocket wheels 21, 22 which are mounted on the shafts 18 and 19, respectively, said chains being driven in unison with the top stretches thereof traveling toward the pump-cylinders.

The movement of the sprocket chains is adapted to be transmitted to the pump-pistons 14 to reciprocate them alternately in opposite directions, each chain actingk alternately to advance one piston and simultaneously ret-urn the companion one. VTo this end, thel outer or rear ends of the piston rods 15 are fastened to cross-heads 23 guided for horizontal movement on longitudinal rails 24 supported at their ends on transverse brackets 25 rising from the platform 10. Depending from the underside Aof each guidehead is a tappet or finger 26, U-shaped in cross-section, which is arranged to straddle the upper stretch of the corresponding driving chain 20, as shown in Fig. 4. Each chain is provided with a pair of transverse coupling pins 27 which extend from opposite sides of said chain and which are adapted, at predetermined intervals to encounter. the tappet on the corresponding cross-head 23 and thereby transmit. the'movement of the chain to thepiston. The distance between the coupling pins of a pair on each chain is approximately equal to the combined forward and return strokes of one of the pistons, so that these pins act alternately on the corresponding cross-head tappet 26 to advance the piston in its cylinder. The relative positions of the coupling pins on both chains is such that while one of the pins of a pair on one chain is engaged with the corresponding tappet for causing the companion piston to be moved forwardly in its cylinder, the pins on the other chain are traveling idly until a predetermined point is reached where one or the other of them encounters its corresponding cross-head tappet to move the other piston forwardly in its cylinder. 1n other words, Athese parts are so organiz-ed and arranged that the chains 2O act alternately and independently to force the respective pistons forwardly in their cylinders. t the end of the forward or downstroke of the piston, that particular coupling pin 27 in engagement with the corresponding cross-head tappet 26 gradually recedes and is ultimately disengaged from the latter by reason of the driving chain passing downwardly around its front sprocket wheel 21. At this time, one of the coupling pins of the companion driving chain encounters the tappet of the other cross-head and thereupon the corresponding piston is moved forwardly in its cylinder.

As one of the pistons is moved forwardly in its cylinder', the companion piston is simultaneously moved rearwardly in its cylin der through the medium of a. connection between the cross-heads of the respective pistons. The preferred mechanism ior accomplishing this result consists of a flexible member or chain 28 connected at its ends to links 29 attached to the respective crossheads 23 and passino intermediate its ends around a sprocket ndice] 3() free to turn on a vertical arbor or spindle 3l carried by a plate or supporting member 32 fastened to the rear guiderail bracket 25, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. It will thus be seen that as one of the pistons is moved forwardly in its cylinder, the adjacent stretch ot' the chain 28 is moved in the same direction with it, while the opposite stretch, which is connected to the cross-head of the other piston, is drawn rearwardly or in the reverse direction and moves such piston with it to effect the return stroke thereof.

By this improved pumping apparatus, a constantly driven set oi' endless belts or chains is utilized to smoothly and positively transmit reci rocating motionto the pistons of a pumpw iich may be used for pumping air, water or gas and other purposes. Furthermore, only a minimum expenditure ot power is required for operatingthe mechanism and a material saving of labor, oil and fuel is afforded over the pump equipment now in use.

I claim as my invention In an apparatus ofthe character described, the combination with a pair of cylinders and pistons ineiuding connecting rods operable therein, of a supporting base, front and rear shafts journaled on said base and each having,r a pair of sprocket wheels thereon, means ttor driving one ot' said shafts, sprocket chains passing around said Wheels and provided at intervals with coupling pins, guide rails arranged parallel with said chains and disposed above the upper operative stretches' thereof, cross-heads applied to the piston-- rods and guided on said rails, tappets depending from the crossheads and disposed in the )ath of movement oi said couplingl pins to e alternately engaged with and disengaged from the tappets at predetermined points in the travel o said chains whereby the pistons are advanced in their cylinders,

a sprocket Wheel located above and between the operative stretches of the driving chains, and a chainfastenedat its ends to said crossheads and passing intermediate its ends around said last-named sprocket-wheel, lwhereby the return of one piston is effected simultaneously with the advance oi' the coinpanion piston.

ANGUS R. LE GRUE. 

